Due to the summer’s flooding, a Highway 179 bridge replacement in Cooper County is being pushed back until next year.
A news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says the bridge-replacement project over the Petite Saline Creek, south of Wooldridge, was planned for this fall, but will now take place in the spring of 2020.
Missouri Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Aaron Peck said this year’s high water levels have made this project impossible to complete during the contract’s allotted time frame. MoDOT will be monitoring the river levels going into winter and plan for construction to begin when water levels are low.
The existing Petite Saline Creek Bridge is 53 years old and carries an average of 1,048 vehicles per day. The condition of the bridge has reached a point where bridge replacement is necessary.
During construction, Highway 179 will be closed at the bridge for up to five months. When a start date is established, MoDOT will alert the public through signs, news releases, its website and social media.
For more information on any transportation-related matter, call (888) ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit modot.org.